Brad Tallis
Learn how to create sketches in Fusion with this beginner-friendly guide. Includes steps for selecting planes, using sketch tools, adding dimensions, and constraints.
Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion
Welcome back to our Getting Started with Fusion series! In the last post, we explored the Fusion interface—how to navigate workspaces, toolbars, and the viewport so you feel at home in the software.
Now it’s time to take the next step: creating sketches in Fusion. Sketching is the foundation of every design in Fusion. Whether you’re building a simple bracket or a complex assembly, it all starts with a 2D sketch. In this post, I’ll walk you through the essentials—selecting planes, using sketch tools, applying dimensions and constraints—so you can move confidently into 3D modeling.
Why sketching in Fusion matters
In Fusion, sketches define the geometry that drives your design. A well-structured sketch makes your model easier to modify, ensures accuracy, and sets the stage for parametric control. Mastering sketch basics is key to building robust parts and assemblies.
Step 1: Start a new design
Open Fusion and create a new design:
- Click File > New Design or use the New Design icon.
- Save your file early using the Data Panel to keep projects organized.
Step 2: Activate the sketch tool
To begin sketching in Fusion:
- Go to the Design workspace.
- Click Create Sketch from the toolbar.
- Fusion will prompt you to select a plane or planar face. For your first sketch, choose one of the default origin planes (XY, YZ, or XZ).
Step 3: Understand the sketch environment
Once you select a plane, Fusion switches to the Sketch environment, where you’ll see:
- Sketch Palette on the right for constraints and options.
- Toolbar with tools like Line, Rectangle, Circle, and Arc.
- Origin and grid for reference.
Step 4: Draw basic geometry
Start with simple shapes:
- Line: Click Line, select a start point, and drag to create a segment.
- Rectangle: Use Two-Point Rectangle for quick outlines.
- Circle: Click Center Diameter Circle, pick a center point, and drag to set size.
Tip: Use keyboard shortcuts—L for Line, R for Rectangle, C for Circle—to speed up your workflow.
Step 5: Apply dimensions
Dimensions control size and relationships:
- Click Sketch > Dimension or press D.
- Select a line or circle and enter the desired value.
- Dimensions make your sketch parametric, so changes update automatically.
Step 6: Add constraints
Constraints lock geometry in place and define relationships:
- Common constraints include Horizontal/Vertical, Parallel, Perpendicular, and Equal.
- Apply constraints from the Sketch Palette or toolbar.
- Fully constrained sketches are more predictable and easier to modify.
Step 7: Finish the sketch
When your sketch is complete:
- Click Finish Sketch in the toolbar.
- You’ll return to the 3D environment, ready to create features like Extrude, Revolve, or Sweep.
Pro tips for better sketches in Fusion
- Plan your sketch: Start simple and add detail gradually.
- Use construction lines: They help with alignment without affecting geometry.
- Keep it parametric: Dimensions and constraints make edits painless.
- Leverage the origin: Align sketches to default planes for consistency.
Now that you’ve created your first sketch, you’re ready to turn it into a 3D model. In the next post, we’ll cover how to extrude your sketch into a solid body and explore other key modeling tools.